Location: Kamakura
Top Things to do in Kamakura
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Things to do in Kamakura, Kanto: The Best Cultural Tours
A village dating back to Yoritomo's shogunate government in 1192, Kamakura lies amid wooded hills filled with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Local university students offer free guided tours leaving from Kamakura station. Visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of war, patron deity of the shogun's family, and walk inside the Great Buddha.
Restaurants in Kamakura
1. Kamakura Private Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Kamakura was Japan's first feudal capital from 12th century to 14th century. It is surrounded by 3 mountains and ocean and known for many historically significant Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Come join this 6-hour walking tour to feel the spirit of samurai at its historic sites! You will visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the biggest shrine in Kamakura area, and Komachi Dori, the most famous street with many interesting shops and delicious street food stands. Also visit Hase Temple, Kotokuin area, and see the big Buddha (also called "Daibutsu" in Japanese)! Your guide will make you are having a lot of fun while learning the history of Japan. Let's walk and talk together in Kamakura!
Inclusions: Friendly professional guide, Private walking tour
Exclusions: Lunch, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation fee (you and guide in Kamakura area)
Reviewed By al_ris2019
When I got to Kamakura the first thing the kids asked me was where did I wanted to go. I sent them a list about the places I was interested on some weeks ago and they didn't checked it so the trip wasn't planned at all. It didn't really matter because they well know the city, but their lack of planification bothered me. One of the kids was really shy and didn't say a word on the whole trip, it was sort of awkward but understandable since they are not professional guides. I think I could have gone by my own and I would have had a nice trip, but they showed me places I didn't found on a first search on internet so that was interesting. I recommend this tour if you don't know much about Japan and want to be carried by some guides. They will explain you things about the city and show you places according to you interests, they will do their best effort to give you the best tour you can have. I also think the tour is far too expensive since your guides are not professional guides and you also have to pay for their tickets. Very important: all the shops and places on the city are closed by 19:00 so doing the longest tour becomes somehow meaningless. You can take the guy's short tour and later visit the city by your own if you want to take profit of the trip, but the longest tour just becomes somehow too long.
2. Private Full-Day Kamakura Tour of Tokyo and Hokoku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Kamakura is a beautiful seaside city with many historical sites and takes just an hour by local train from Tokyo. In this full-day tour, you'll visit three popular temples and a shrine: Hase temple, Kotokuin temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, and Hokokuji temple which has a beautiful bamboo grove in the ground. Kamakura is also known for its delicious food. Hotel pick-up and professional guide included. If you have any food restrictions such as vegetarians, macrobiotics, gluten free, or no-fish, please let me know in advance. Travel insurance not be attached.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions for customers and guide(around 2000yen per person), Entrance fees (Great Buddha in Kotokuin 200yen per person, Hokokuji Temple 200yen per person), Entrance fees (Hase-dera temple 400 yen per person), Food and drinks (customer and guide)
Reviewed By duw1203
Kamakura is a must-visit town for any foreign visitor coming to Japan and it can be easily reached from Tokyo on a 60-mn train journey. Very convenient especially if you are JR Pass holder. We started the journey with our guide, who was waiting for us @the lobby of our hotel and kindly guided us through the bustling morning Japanese metro system. Visiting Kamakura was like going through different emotions and living exceptional experiences depending on the sites visited. The Hase-Dera temple, Kotokuin area, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple and the Kamakura street market (where original flavoured peanuts were sold like those strawberries, mulberries, okonomyaki, wasabi, takoyaki flavours) were amazing venues that have their own spirit and atmosphere and imprint unforgettable memories on the visitors. Our guide helped us to know more about the religious, political and social history of Kamakura. We hope to be back again in the fulture to explore more the seaside and spend one day @Kamakura. Thank you so much to our guide who was very kind and helpful (she guided us through the Toranomon Hills metro station after the end of our tour) and professional. Best wishes to her.
3. Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo with a Local: Private & Personalized ★★★★★
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Discover the coastal town of Kamakura, which lies just an hour away from busy Tokyo, with one of our friendly hosts. Take in the surrounding temples and shrines tucked away in the leafy green forest and see the famous Great Buddha statue. There are also scenic hiking trails, sunrise meditation sessions, surf shacks to enjoy a beer at and beaches on which to laze the day away. Whatever your speed, your host will make it happen. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do
Inclusions: Private and personalised experience, 8 hours with a Local host, Return trip to Kamakura via JR train, Walking experience ( other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs other than the round trip train to Kamakura, Gratuities
Reviewed By eugenius101
Kento is most definitely the perfect guide for late night adventures around Shinjuku. Highly personable with an enquiring mind and a lot of fun , I’m sooooo glad I stumbled into one of his tours . If a traveller wants to get to know the Golden Gai area , this is most definitely your man . The meal before was wonderful and somewhere I would never have discovered by myself - and cheap as ! This is the real thing , with a brilliant guide .
4. Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Kamakura is called “the Kyoto of Eastern Japan”, because it used to be the capital of Japan from 12th to 14th century. It’s the first government by the Shogun, a top of samurai warriors. Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In this tour, we will visit three famous temples and one shrine. See inclusions and excursions for what is included in the price of this tour.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Private tour, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Your transportation cost about 2680 JPY per person, Lunch (you and the guide), Your admission fee about 1000JPY per person
Reviewed By Melannew
Yoshi was a great tour guide. He tells a lot of stories and takes you to your desired places and then some. We went to the National Gardens, stopped to say hi to Hachiko, and went to the Chiku Chiku Cafe. The Hedgehogs were so cute! They're usually nocturnal and the one I was visiting, Butter, was really tired and wanted to sleep so I only took a couple pictures and let him rest the rest of the time :) Take care Yoshi! Hope you have more fun adventures
5. Samurai Photo Tours: A Fun Day Out Discovering Kamakura
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Hi, I’m Peter. I was born in England, but I’ve lived most of life in Japan. I would be delighted to show you around Kamakura, where I presently live, and share with you my knowledge and love of its fascinating history. Kamakura served as Japan’s de facto capital from 1185 – 1333. It's where the first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, was born. The Kamakura Period is also the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the samurai culture. I'll explain the history as we visit different temples and shrines, some of them dating back hundreds of years. In the course of our tour, I'll also talk about aspects of Japanese life, and can arrange a delicious lunch at a restaurant specialising in local cuisine. As a bonus, I’ll take souvenir photos of you – or help you take quality pictures of your own. The tour lasts 3 hours and you may select your starting time on the booking form. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, I strongly recommend you include Kamakura. There’s a lot to discover in this beautiful city!
Inclusions: Local guide, Professional photographer guide, Tour escort/host
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch, Transportation to/from attractions, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Masaru S
My friend visit from oversees. So, we took private Kamakura tour in English with my friend. Was very good an surprised. This tourist guy know about Kamakura history very well… also, explained simple and easily understand and you can enjoy even you are not into history.
6. Kamakura Old Capital Walking Tour with the Great Buddha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
-The tour kicks off with Japanese sweet tasting on the lively shopping street. After trying out a traditional Japanese snack on Komachi-dori, go on to explore Kamakura's history and unique culture along with your friendly local guide. -Stroll the historical shrines and temples in the nature of Kamakura Gain insight into how to make the most out of visiting Japanese shrines and temples and enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch at the temple restaurant! -Great photo-snapping locations and meeting with the Great Buddha! Check out Hasedera Temple, with it's beautiful scenic views of the coastline and hidden little cave before going on to greet the Great Buddha! Magical Trip is a local tour operator in Tokyo with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!
Inclusions: Entrance fees to all the sites visited during the tour., Vegan option is available, Food samplings on Komachi street, Photos
Exclusions: Additional foods (Available for purchase), Transportation fees (400 jpy)
Reviewed By wwtara
Fantastic virtual tour! The guide, YH, was a delight, full of knowledge, laughter and fun anecdotes. We were complete Sake beginners and learned so much. The material is well prepared and very personal with many opportunities for questions. I cannot wait to visit in person!
7. Private Tour to see Highlights of Kamakura, Enoshima, Yokohama from Tokyo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
If you have only one day to visit somewhere outside of Tokyo, Kamakura is the place to go! See the ancient capital of Kamakura, a seaside town of temples and wooded hills sometimes referred to Kyoto of eastern Japan. Then check out the bay area of Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city. We have a list of professional guides in different languages to make your day fun and memorable. A chauffeured private tour is a perfect way to see Kamakura and Yokohama as it is not easy to get around in these two cities on your own using public transport in a limited time. Enjoy round trip transportation from your accommodation in a private vehicle. Relax on a full day excursion without being pressed for time or annoyed by others who you don’t know as it happens in group tours. *Select the places you want to visit and make a total of 6 hours *Customize your Kamakura, Yokohama tour according to your interests *Guide can give you recommendations to build your own itinerary *Round trip transportation
Inclusions: Van, highway toll, parking, gasoline, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Fuel surcharge, Parking Fees, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By Tigerland83
We had a wonderful day with Takashi as our guide. We visited Arakura Sengen Park and Shrine, 4th Station, Wind and Ice Caves, Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and Oishi Park. We were very lucky and got to see Mt. Fuji all day. Takashi was very knowledgeable about all sites and the history of Japan and we would highly recommend this tour.
8. Kamakura Private Custom Tour Led by Local Students
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 11 reviews
We are students from a local high school in Kamakura!! We would love to show you around our favorite place where are both sightseeing spots and backstreets based on your request! Let's talk and walk with us!! Kamakura is called Samurai town because the old Shogunate capital of Japan was there in the 12th-14th century. Kamakura has many historically significant Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, so you may be able to somehow still feel the samurai power at the historic sites, such as Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha! Of course, we will lead you to local recommended spots, too!!
Inclusions: Local high school student guide (about two)
Exclusions: Entrance fees (yours), Food and drinks (yours and guide's), Transportation fees(yours and guide's), Temple entrance fee : (for example), Transportation fee : 500-1,000 yen each (depends on itinerary)
Reviewed By 898greggm
This was a must see when you visit Japan. Very easy to get to via trains,cabs or walking . The statue itself is a wonder to behold and the surounding area is very interesting to see.
9. Private Half-Day Kamakura with Kotokuin (Great Buddha) from Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 12 reviews
Your guide will take you on a concise tour of Kamakura, a delightful, historical city with many important and famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. It will take about one hour from Tokyo to get to Kamakura. Once you arrive, you will visit three of the most impressive places in Kamakura: the Great Buddha, the Hase Temple and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. You will also have the chance to eat a Japanese lunch as well.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private, professional English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Train (both guests and tour guide), 1400 yen (approx. $12USD) per-person (one-way), Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Admission fee(700 yen per person)
Reviewed By shomon z
It is a shame we only went up to fifth level of mount Fuji. But for those not good with high altitude this is amazing experience. The people of Japan are so helpful and always willing to help. Amazing trip and will do it again this time to go right up to the too of mount Fuji.
10. Kamakura Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.3 based on 281 reviews
Explore the countryside outside Tokyo on a guided day trip to Kamakura. You’ll see the Great Buddha of Kamakura, and tour ancient temples and shrines such as Kotoku-in Temple and Hase-dera Temple. You’ll learn about Japan’s long history before returning to Tokyo.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Japanese-style lunch, English-speaking licensed guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Reviewed By mm0711
The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!
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